Editorial Review:
Landing a publisher has never been harder. So many want to get published, but few understand the enormous challenges, the fierce competition, and the merciless reality of bookstore shelf. But, what if you are one of the lucky ones to land a publisher? Well, here’s what you can count on: anemic royalty rates, 18 to 24 months to publication, and giving up the rights to your book. And guess what? You’ll still be expected to do most of the marketing yourself! There’s a better way. Thanks to the Internet, self-publishing has become easier, more viable, and more potentially lucrative than ever before. In 2000, veteran commercial freelancer Peter Bowerman self-published The Well-Fed Writer (an award winning Book-of-the-Month Club selection) and in 2005, he did the same with its companion, TWFW: Back For Seconds (triple-award-finalist). The books became “standards” in the lucrative field of commercial freelancing: writing for businesses, large and small, and for hourly rates of $60-125+ or more. As this is written, together, the two books – about 50,000 copies in print – had earned him a full-time living for over five years. The definition of a full-time living (straight from the horse’s mouth): Okay, we’re not talking “picking-out-chateaux-in-the-South-of-France” kind of money, but the book paid all my bills (including a couple of print runs each year), allowed me to stay the course in funding my retirement account, stay completely out of debt, and take a few nice vacations each year. Would that work for you? The Well-Fed Self-Publisher is a 300-page, detailed, step-by-step blueprint that explains exactly how the author did what he did. According to Bowerman, “This book is for those who really want to turn their passionate creative efforts into real ‘pay-the-mortgage’ money.” Acknowledging that “self-publishing” carries an enormous amount of negative baggage (and deservedly so), the author says the focus of the book is to dramatically raise the bar on quality, for starters: I’ll show you how to create a book indistinguishable in quality from one produced by a reputable publishing company; how to do a far better job of marketing and promoting that book than a publisher ever could; and how to make far more money than you ever would with that publisher. And by doing it all yourself, you control the timetable (potentially shaving 12 to 18 months off production). Plus, you retain all the rights, allowing you to leverage the brand you’ve created into a host of profitable “spinoff” businesses – each with its own income stream. Starting from perhaps not-so-obvious fundamentals (“Write a book people will want to read”), the book progresses through a discussion of the significant limitations of the conventional publishing model (despite the best intentions of most publishers). Then, in a nod to the outright panic and terror most “creatives” experience at the mere mention of the term “sales and marketing,” the book provides an entire early chapter to help demystify these often daunting concepts. As Bowerman is quick to point out, “Success as a self-publisher is far more a function of a process than an aptitude. It’s far less about some way you have to be than it is about a bunch of things you have to do.” At that point, the book kicks into gear, offering up discussing in-depth discussions of book production, distribution, marketing, promotion, publicity (through one’s own web site, the Internet, radio, article writing, bookstores and far beyond), Amazon, spinoff businesses, and an entire chapter on the controversial so-called “revolution” known as “POD publishing” (print-on-demand). The book finishes with five appendices offering up resources and a time line for the self-publisher, a primer on foreign rights, and more.
Cached date: AWS Called=true
You may also be interested in these products:
These categories may also be of interest to you:
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Rating: 
The book on Self-Publishing 2008-12-03
If you plan on self-publishing you absolutely must get this book. No doubt about it. Appendix C alone is worth 100x times the price of the book!
I bought at least a dozen books on this topic to really get a good handle on how to publish my own book Blog Blazers. But none of them came close to the value Peter's book had to offer. Like I said before, Appendix C is gold - it's almost a summarized self-publishing plan taken from the rest of his book (it even refers to the pages in the book where you can get the full details).
I got so much from the book that I ended up contacting Peter and used his consulting services for my own book. And it was worth it! I can't even begin to express how much he helped me.
If you are serious about publishing your own book, you have to buy this book. It will save you an incredible amount of money, time, and headaches.
You need this book! 2008-11-26
This book is, in a word, awesome. It has literally been our bible through the whole process of publishing our book, start to finish. I've worn out my first copy and am now actually going to pay to buy a second one. Yup, folks, it's THAT good.
My Favorite Book on Self Publishing 2008-11-12
I have read a lot of the books on self publishing, but I have to say this one is my favorite. The reason is that Peter Bowerman answered many of the questions about self publishing that I had, and he also includes some good marketing information.
One of the biggest questions I had was where to go and publish my book once I finished it. Peter tackles this question quite nicely, and although he suggests taking a look at Lulu, I chose someone else. However, he helped me make a decision that was better for me and my business.
What makes this book stand head and shoulders above other books on self publishing is that it isn't as long. That doesn't mean he shortchanges you on information. Everything you need to know about self publishing your book is clearly explained. Sales and marketing, a crucial element to making real money from your book is thoroughly covered, and he even includes a chapter on Amazon.
If you are a beginner, this is definitely where you need to start. Even if you aren't, you still want to read this book because it covers all of the things a lot of self publishing books don't.
For those of you who don't consider yourself writers (I am both a writer and internet marketer), you still want to read this book. It will teach you what you need to know to self publish a book. Publishing your own book will help you build more credibility into your business, and you will definitely make more money.
This book is a must have for those who self publish, and it contains all of the resources you need to know about.
Jinger Jarrett, Author, Internet Marketing for Free: The GUIDE: Internet Marketing to GO!
If You're Thinking About Self-Publishing, Read This 2008-10-18
This book is a must-have resource if you're thinking about dipping your toes into the waters of self-publishing. It's packed full of practical tips, suggestions and advice - all based on the author's own experience and success as a self publisher. As such it's an invaluable reference guide that I know will see a lot of use in the months and years to come.
It's also a great read - I read the whole thing in two long sessions. The author manages to blend a deluge of practical advice with a few recurring and powerful ideas. That publishing your book is just the start of the enterprise. That if you're focused, creative and hard working you too can turn that book into an income.
I'd thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who's thinking of self-publishing.
Very helpful book 2008-10-13
This book is full of good ideas and is very accessible. What could be a dauntingly large area is broken down well. The writing style is enthusiastic and I would say this book is well worth getting.
|
|
|
|
